1. Always check the expiration date (or date of manufacture) on the condom wrapper or package. Take the condom out of the package; make sure you don’t damage the rubber with your fingernails, jewellery or the foil of the wrapper.

2. Put the condom on after the penis has become erect, but before the penis has come into contact with the partner’s genitals. Hold the top of the condom and press out the air from the tip, so that you leave a centimetre of empty space for the semen at the top of the condom.3. Roll the condom all the way to the base of the erect penis. Use both hands.

4. After ejaculation, withdraw the penis immediately before erection is lost, holding the rim of the condom to prevent spilling.

5. Tie a knot in the condom; wrap it in tissue and dispose of it carefully. Wash your hands.

Never re-use a condom.

How to use a male condom

1. Check expiry date on packet

2. Pinch teat

3. Roll down fully

4. After intercourse remove carefully from base

5. Tie knot and put in bin

The female condom

What is a female condom?

The female condom is a strong, soft transparent sheath made of polyurethane and intended for contraception and STD prevention, including HIV. The sheath has a flexible ring at each end. (See illustration 1, next page)

The inner ring at the closed end is used for insertion and helps keep the device at the upper end of the vagina. The ring is removable. The larger, thinner, outer ring remains outside the vagina when the condom is inserted, and anchors the condom so that the sheath covers the external genitalia as well as the base of the penis during intercourse. The condom is pre-lubricated with a non-spermicidal silicone fluid, to make insertion and movement during intercourse easier. Using the fluid has no side effects.

The condom is inserted manually into the vagina before intercourse. (See illustrations 2 and 3, next page.)

The female condom can be placed in the vagina at any time before intercourse and removed afterwards. Neither removal nor insertion requires an erect penis, as is the case with the male condom. Each condom is currently labelled for single use.

Why is the female condom important?

As women often have to rely on their partners’ willingness to use condoms during every act of sexual intercourse, there was an urgent need for other preventive methods, especially those that women can control to protect themselves against STD/HIV. Other than the male condom, the female condom is the only method that provides protection against both STD/HIV and unplanned pregnancy. Furthermore it is the only method giving this dual protection over which women themselves exercise some control.

How much does it cost?

In developed countries, the female condom is sold in pharmacies for between US$ 2 and US$ 3 per condom. A special price of less than US$ 1 has been negociated for the public sector in developing countries. As the demand increases, the price should decrease.

How can it be made available?

The female condom does not require medical supervision and, in addition to family planning and STD/HIV centres, can be distributed through a variety of other channels, such as private health practitioners, community-based services, pharmacies/chemists, and school-based clinics. These channels could also provide the necessary information about the effectiveness, safety, correct use and disposal of the female condom. Donors to family planning and STD/HIV programmes may be willing to purchase the female condom or help subsidize the price to consumers.

To avoid pregnancy, women can also use birth-control methods such as the pill or the diaphragm (cap). However, remember that only condoms – male and female – protect against STD.